Steven "Coolbone" Johnson leads one of the most exciting young brass band in New Orleans, the home of brass bands. Some bands play for the money, some play for fame, but The Coolbone Brass Band plays for the love of the music. All musicians in the group consider music their lives. Their audiences are moved to dance and clap their hands to the happiest music in the world, New Orleans Jazz.

The pulsating rhythm section lays down the groove for the brass section to ride upon with emotion. The players are quick to take advantage of the opportunity to stretch the music out, giving the listener an idea of how jazz developed into what it is today. Brass band music has been evolving in New Orleans with record companies, Sound Of New Orleans being one of the new pioneers producing groups like The Treme; Algiers; High Steppers; Mahogany and Regal Brass Bands. Each band has it's own style, from very traditional to a modern approach.

The Coolbone Brass Band uses another part of the New Orleans tradition to it's advantage, that is, keeping it all in the family: four of the musicians on this recording are brothers! The term "Traditional Jazz" is derived from the concept that the music has been passed from family member to family member, generation to generation. The Coolbone Brass Band continues the tradition of passing on the music from the older musicians to the younger ones.

Part of an old tradition that continues to grow and develop into a new tradition, the Coolbone Brass Band is not a faded imitation of the real thing, but a glimpse of how the real thing came along. A group of great musicians playing music that not only allows for variation, but demands it!

This is the hot new recordings of New Orleans' hardest working brass band. This is the music that provides the spirit for Mardi Gras in New Orleans! Over an hour of happy music, covering the many styles of second line sounds. Grab your umbrella and dance to the music!

Produced by Gary J. Edwards for Sound Of New Orleans
Mastered at Factory Masters by Joe Doherty, New Orleans